Reps say broadband stimulus rules complex, murky, rigid

As the dust settles on guidelines the Obama administration released for the $7.2 billion broadband stimulus program, lawmakers are beginning to raise concerns that the hurried effort has led to rigid requirements, inconsistencies and murky definitions.

House Agriculture Rural Development Subcommittee ranking member Mike Conaway, R-Texas, complained at a hearing today about conditions requiring recipients of broadband grants to refrain from favoring proprietary content on their Internet systems and permit the interconnection of competing carriers. "I'm concerned that these new requirements would prevent new applicants from applying," Conaway warned...